Closure device

ABSTRACT

The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips. The closure device may include a slider slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The fastening strips include a first color for facilitating visual confirmation of occlusion of the fastening strips. The visible indication of occlusion will be observed from the top of the closure device. If the fastening strips are properly occluded, then the first color will not be visible by viewing the top of the closure device. The first color will be observed from the top of the closure device when the bag is deoccluded.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to closure devices and, moreparticularly, a closure device providing visible confirmation ofocclusion. The invention is particularly well suited for use on flexiblestorage containers, including plastic bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of closure devices for fastening storage containers, includingplastic bags, is generally known. Furthermore, the manufacture ofclosure devices made of plastic materials is generally known to thoseskilled in the art, as demonstrated by the numerous patents in thisarea.

A particularly well-known use for closure devices is in connection withflexible storage containers, such as plastic bags. In some instances,the closure device and the associated container are formed fromthermoplastic materials, and the closure device and the sidewalls of thecontainer are integrally formed by extrusion as a single piece.Alternatively, the closure device and sidewalls of the container may beformed as separate pieces and then connected by heat sealing or anyother suitable connecting process. In either event, such closure devicesare particularly useful in providing a closure means for retainingmatter within the bag.

Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating fastening stripsor closure elements, which are used to selectively seal the bag. Withsuch closure devices, however, it is often difficult to determinewhether the fastening strips are fully occluded.

The invention provides a closure device in combination with visibleconfirmation of closure. In addition, the invention provides thatvisible confirmation can be observed from the top of the closure device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips. The closuredevice may include a slider slidably disposed on the interlockingfastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of thefastening strips when moved towards first and second ends of thefastening strips.

In addition, the fastening strips have a visual indication of occlusionof the closure device. Thus a user will be able to visually confirm thatthe closure device has been properly occluded, not only while in theprocess of occluding the closure device, but also after the closuredevice has been occluded. The visible indication of occlusion will beobserved from the top of the closure device. The closure elements have afirst color and the flanges have a second color. If the fastening stripsare properly occluded the first color will not be visible by viewing thetop of the closure device.

The present invention will become more readily apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description of exemplified embodiments and uponreference to the accompanying drawings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the presentinvention in the form of a plastic bag;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips along line 3—3in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening strips along line 4—4in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the container in FIG. 1 and illustrates anunoccluded portion in the fastening strips;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of fastening strips;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fasteningstrips;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fasteningstrips; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of fasteningstrips.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a container in the form of a plasticbag 120 having a sealable closure device 121. The bag 120 includes afirst sidewall 122 and a second sidewall 123 joined at seams 124, 125 todefine a compartment accessible through the open top end but sealable bymeans of the closure device 121.

The closure device 121 includes first and second fastening strips 130,131 and a slider 132. The fastening strips 130, 131 and the slider 132have a longitudinal X axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a vertical Zaxis 106. The transverse Y axis 104 is perpendicular to the longitudinalX axis 102. The vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the longitudinalX axis 102 and the vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to thetransverse Y axis 104.

The first fastening strip 130 is attached to the first sidewall 122 nearthe top end of the bag 120. The second fastening strip 131 is attachedto the second sidewall 123 near the top end of the bag 120. Thefastening strips 130, 131 are located across from and substantiallyparallel to each other and are configured to allow the fastening strips130, 131 to be able to interlock. The slider 132 is mounted onto thefastening strips 130, 131 so that the slider 132 is restrained frombeing removed from the fastening strips 130, 131 but free to slide alongthe X axis 102. The slider 132 engages the fastening strips 130, 131 sothat when the slider 132 moves in an occlusion direction 114, thefastening strips 130, 131 occlude and the bag 120 is sealed, and whenthe slider 132 moves in a deocclusion direction 116, the fasteningstrips 130, 131 deocclude or separate and the bag 120 is open.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the first fastening strip 130 includes a firstclosure element 134 and the second fastening strip 131 includes a secondclosure element 136. The first closure element 134 has a first color.The second closure element 136 may have the first color, another coloror no color. The first fastening strip 130 may include a flange 138which extends inwardly toward the second fastening strip 131. The flange138 may have a second color, another color or no color. The secondfastening strip 131 may include a flange 139 which extends inwardlytoward the first fastening strip 130. The flange 139 may have a secondcolor, another color of no color.

In another embodiment, the flange may be part of the closure element asshown in FIG. 6, but the flange may have a color different than theclosure element as noted above.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the fastening strips in the deoccluded and occludedpositions and illustrate the color changes when viewed from the top ofthe fastening strips in the Z axis 106.

FIG. 3 shows the fastening strips 130, 131 in the deoccluded position.The fastening strips 130, 131 may be viewed from the top of thefastening strips in the Z axis 106 along lines of sight 150, 152, 154,156. When the fastening strips 130, 131 are viewed along line of sight150 or line of sight 156, the color of the flanges 138, 139 will beobserved. If the fastening strips 130, 131 are viewed from above alongline of sight 152 or line of sight 154, the color of the closureelements 134, 136 will be observed.

FIG. 4 shows the fastening strips 130, 131 in the occluded position.Lines of sight 160, 162 illustrate how the fastening strips 130, 131 maybe viewed from the top of the fastening strips in the Z axis 106. Whenthe fastening strips 130, 131 are viewed along line of sight 160 or lineof sight 162, only the color of the flanges 138, 139 will be observed.In addition, when the fastening strips 130, 131 are fully occluded, thecolor of the closure elements 134, 136 will not be observed. If thecolor of the closure elements 134, 136 are observed from above, thenthis situation is a visual indication that the fastening strips 130, 131are partially deoccluded as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the container and illustrates the slider 132moved in the occlusion direction. The fastening strips 130, 131 are notfully occluded, and contain a deoccluded portion 170 wherein thefastening strips 130, 131 are partially deoccluded. A partialcross-section of the fastening strips 130, 131 through the deoccludedportion 170 would be similar to FIG. 3. When the deoccluded portion 170is viewed from above, the color of the closure elements 134, 136 will beobserved, indicating that the fastening strips 130, 131 are partiallydeoccluded. The color of the closure elements 134, 136 and the flanges138, 139 may be varied in several ways. In a first example, the closureelements 134, 136 may be a first color and the flanges 138, 139 may be asecond color.

In a second example, the closure elements 134, 136 may be a first colorand the flanges 138, 139 may be a translucent second color. When viewedfrom the top of the closure device, the second color may visuallycombine with the first color to create a third color. For example, thefirst color may be yellow and the second color may be translucent blueand the third color may be green.

In a third example, the closure element 134 may be a first color, theclosure element 136 may be a second color and the flanges 138, 139 maybe a third color.

In a fourth example, the closure element 134 may be a first color, theclosure element 136 may be a second color, the flange 138 may be a thirdcolor and the flange 139 may be a fourth color.

In a fifth example, the closure element 134 may have a first color, theclosure element 136 may have a second color and the flanges 138, 139 maybe clear (i.e., no color). If the fastening strips are occluded andviewed from the top of the fastening strips, the user may see a combinedthird color which is a combination of the first and second colors, orthe user may see that the first and second colors are reduced in colorintensity or the first and second colors are eliminated depending uponthe clarity of the flanges. As shown in FIG. 6, the fastening strips maybe U-channel fastening strips as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,641.U-channel fastening strips include a first fastening strip 230 with afirst closure element 236 and a second fastening strip 231 with a secondclosure element 234. The first closure element 236 engages the secondclosure element 234. The first fastening strip 230 may include a flange263 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening strip 230 and a rib267 disposed at the lower end of the first fastening strip 230. Thefirst fastening strip 230 may include a flange portion 269. Likewise,the second fastening strip 231 may include a flange 253 disposed at theupper end of the second fastening strip 231 and a rib 257 disposed atthe lower end of the second fastening strip 231. The second fasteningstrip 231 may include a flange portion 259. The side walls 222, 223 ofthe plastic bag 220 may be attached to the fastening strips 230, 231 byconventional manufacturing techniques.

The second closure element 234 includes a base portion 238 having a pairof spaced-apart parallely disposed webs 240, 241, extending from thebase portion 238. The base and the webs form a U-channel closureelement. The webs 240, include hook closure portions 242, 244 extendingfrom the webs 240, 241 respectively, and facing towards each other. Thehook closure portions 242, 244 include guide surfaces 246, 247 whichserve to guide the hook closure portions 242, 244 for occluding with thehook closure portions 252, 254 of the first closure element 236.

The first closure element 236 includes a base portion 248 including apair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs 250, 251 extending fromthe base portion 248. The base and the webs form a U-channel closureelement. The webs 250, 251 include hook closure portions 252, 254extending from the webs 250, 251 respectively and facing away from eachother. The hook closure portions 252, 254 include guide surfaces 245,255, which generally serve to guide the hook closure portions 252, 254for occlusion with the hook closure portions 242, 244 of the secondclosure element 234. The guide surfaces 245, 255 may also have a roundedcrown surface.

The slider 232 includes a top portion 272. The top portion provides aseparator 243 having a first end and a second end wherein the first endmay be wider than the second end. In addition, the separator 243 may betriangular in shape. When the slider is moved in the occlusiondirection, the separator 243 deoccludes the fastening strips 230, 231 asshown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, the closure elements 234, 236 aredeoccluded and specifically, the upper hook portions 242, 252 and thelower hook portions 244, 254 are deoccluded.

The interlocking fastening strips may comprise “arrowhead-type” or “riband groove” fastening strips as shown in FIG. 7 and as described in U.S.Pat. No. 3,806,998. The rib element 305 interlocks with the grooveelement 307. The rib element 305 is of generally arrow-shape intransverse cross section including a head 310 comprising interlockshoulder hook portions 311 and 312 generally convergently related toprovide a cam ridge 313 generally aligned with a stem flange 314 bywhich the head is connected in spaced relation with respect to thesupporting flange portion 308. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines16-23). At their surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 314, theshoulder portions 311 and 312 define reentrant angles therewithproviding interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook flanges 315 and317 respectively of the groove element 307. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998,Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hook flanges generally converge toward oneanother and are spread open to receive the head 310 therebetween whensaid head is pressed into said groove element 307 until the head isfully received in a groove 318 of said groove element 307 generallycomplementary to the head and within which the head is interlocked byinterengagement of the head shoulder hook portions 311 and 312 and thegroove hook flanges 315 and 317. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines28-36). Through this arrangement, as indicated, the head and grooveelements 305 and 307 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by beingpressed together and to be separated when forcably pulled apart, as bymeans of a generally U-shaped slider 319. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col.2, lines 36-41).

The slider 319 includes a flat back plate 320 adapted to run along freeedges 321 on the upper ends of the sections of the flange portions 308and 309 as shown in the drawing. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines41-46). Integrally formed with the back plate 320 and extending in thesame direction (downwardly as shown) therefrom are respectivecoextensive side walls 322 with an intermediate spreader finger 323extending in the same direction as the side walls at one end of theslider. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 46-51). The side walls322 are in the form of panels which are laterally divergent from anarrower end of the slider. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines51-55). The slider walls 322 are each provided with an inwardlyprojecting shoulder structure 324 flange adapted to engage respectiveshoulder ribs 325 and 327 on respectively outer sides of the lowersection of the flange portions 308 and 309. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998,Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line 3).

In accordance with the invention, the head 310 may be a first color andthe groove element 307 may be a second color or no color. In anotherembodiment, the head 310 and/or the groove element 307 may be a firstcolor and the fastening. strips may include a flange or flanges as notedabove which may be a second color or no color as noted above.

Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may comprise “profile”fastening strips, as shown in FIG. 8 and described in U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299. As shown in FIG. 8, the first profile 416 has at least anuppermost closure element 416 a and a bottommost closure element 416 b.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 416a and 416 b project laterally from the inner surface of strip 414. (U.S.Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 27-28). Likewise, the second profile417 has at least an uppermost closure element 417 a and a bottommostclosure element 417 b. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 28-30).The closure elements 417 a and 417 b project laterally from the innersurface of strip 415. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 30-32).When the bag is closed, the closure elements of profile 416 interlockwith the corresponding closure elements of profile 417. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 32-34). As shown in FIG. 8, closure elements416 a, 416 b, 417 a and 417 b have hooks on the ends of the closureelements, so that the profiles remain interlocked when the bag isclosed, thereby forming a seal. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines34-37).

The straddling slider 410 comprises an inverted U-shaped member having atop 420 for moving along the top edges of the strips 414 and 415. (U.S.Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 1-3). The slider 410 has side walls421 and 422 depending from the top 420. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col.4, lines 3-4). A separating leg 423 depends from the top 420 between theside walls 421 and 422 and is located between the uppermost closureelements 416 a and 417 a of profiles 416 and 417. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30). The fastening assembly includes ridges425 on the outer surfaces of the fastening strips 414 and 415, andshoulders 421 b and 422 b on the side walls of the slider. (U.S. Pat.No. 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 62-65). The shoulders act as means formaintaining the slider in straddling relation with the fastening stripsby grasping the lower surfaces of the ridges 425. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).

In accordance with the invention, the uppermost closure element 417 amay be a first color and the first profile 416 or a portion thereof maybe a second color or no color.

Also, the interlocking fastening strips may be “rolling action”fastening strips as shown in FIG. 9 and described in U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143. The strips 514 and 515 include profiled tracks 518 and 519extending along the length thereof parallel to the rib and grooveelements 516 and 517 and the rib and groove elements 516, 517 havecomplimentary cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed bypressing the bottom of the elements together first and then rolling theelements to a closed position toward the top thereof. (U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143, Col. 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1). The rib element 516 ishook shaped and projects from the inner face of strip 514. (U.S. Pat.No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 1-3). The groove element 517 includes alower hookshaped projection 517 a and a relatively straight projection517 b which extend from the inner face of strip 515. (U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 3-6). The profiled tracks 518 and 519 areinclined inwardly toward each other from their respective strips 514 and515. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 6-8).

The straddling slider 510 comprises an inverted U-shaped plastic memberhaving a back 520 for moving along the top edges of the tracks 518 and519 with side walls 521 and 522 depending therefrom for cooperating withthe tracks and extending from an opening end of the slider to a closingend. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 26-31). A separator finger523 depends from the back 520 between the side walls 521 and 522 and isinserted between the inclined tracks 518 and 519. (U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 34-36). The slider 510 has shoulders 521 a and522 a projecting inwardly from the depending side walls 521 and 522which are shaped throughout the length thereof for cooperation with thedepending separator finger 523 in creating the rolling action in openingand closing the reclosable interlocking rib and groove profile elements516 and 517. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 43-49). Inaccordance with the invention, the projection 517 b may have a firstcolor and the track 518 or the entire rib element 514 may have a secondcolor or no color.

Although several interlocking fastening strip embodiments have beenspecifically described and illustrated herein, it will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that other kinds, types, orforms of fastening strips may be used without departing from the scopeor spirit of the present invention.

The interlocking fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusionthrough a die.

The interlocking fastening strips may be formed from any suitablethermoplastic material including, for example, polyethylene,polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combination thereof. Thus,resins or mixtures of resins such as high density polyethylene, mediumdensity polyethylene, and low density polyethylene may be employed toprepare the interlocking fastening strips. For example, the fasteningstrips may be made from low density polyethylene.

The fastening strips may be appropriately colored using a suitablecolorant such as a dye or pigment.

When the fastening strips are used in a sealable bag, the fasteningstrips and the films that form the body of the bag may be convenientlymanufactured from heat sealable material. In this way, the bag may beeconomically formed by using an aforementioned thermoplastic materialand by heat sealing the fastening strips to the bag. For example, thebag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, low densitypolyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.

The fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion or other knownmethods. For example, the closure device may be manufactured asindividual fastening strips for later attachment to the bag or may bemanufactured integrally with the bag.

The fastening strips can be manufactured in a variety of forms to suitthe intended use. The fastening strips may be integrally formed on theopposing sidewalls of the container or bag, or connected to thecontainer by the use of any of many known methods. For example, athermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with theflange portion of the fastening strips or the thermoelectric device maybe applied to a film in contact with the base portion of fasteningstrips having no flange portion, to cause a transfer of heat through thefilm to produce melting at the interface of the film and a flangeportion or base portion of the fastening strips. Suitable thermoelectricdevices include heated rotary discs, traveling heater bands,resistance-heated slide wires, and the like. The connection between thefilm and the fastening strips may also be established by the use of hotmelt adhesives, hot jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, orother known methods. The bonding of the fastening strips to the filmstock may be carried out either before or after the film is U-folded toform the bag. In any event, such bonding is done prior to side sealingthe bag at the edges by conventional thermal cutting. In addition, thefirst and second fastening strips may be positioned on opposite sides ofthe film. Such an embodiment would be suited for wrapping an object or acollection of objects such as wires. The first and second fasteningstrips may be positioned on the film in a generally parallelrelationship with respect to each other, although this will depend onthe intended use.

The slider may be multiple parts and snapped together. In addition, theslider may be made from multiple parts and fused or welded together. Theslider may also be a one piece construction. The slider can be colored,opaque, translucent or transparent. The slider may be injection moldedor made by any other method. The slider may be molded from any suitableplastic material, such as, nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene, acetal,toughened acetal, polyketone, polybutylene terrephthalate, high densitypolyethylene, polycarbonate or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

From the foregoing it will be understood that modifications andvariations may be effectuated to the disclosed structures—particularlyin light of the foregoing teachings—without departing from the scope orspirit of the present invention. As such, no limitation with respect tothe specific.embodiments described and illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. In addition, all references and copendingapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

1. A closure device, comprising: first and second fastening strips, thefastening strips having a longitudinal X axis, a transverse Y axis and avertical Z axis, the fastening strips are arranged to be occluded over apredetermined length in the X axis, the fastening strips are arranged tobe deoccluded and form an opening between the fastening strips whendeoccluded, the opening is visible when viewed in the Z axis, the firstfastening strip includes a first portion with a first color, the firstcolor is visible when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips aredeoccluded, the first fastening strip or the second fastening stripincludes a second portion with a second translucent color, the firstcolor combines with the second color to form a third color when viewedin the Z axis when the fastening strips are occluded; and wherein thesecond fastening strip includes a third portion with the first color. 2.The invention as in claim 1 wherein the other fastening strip includes afourth portion with the second translucent color.
 3. The invention as inclaim 2 wherein the fourth portion is a flange.
 4. The invention as inclaim 1 wherein the third portion is a closure element.
 5. The inventionas in claim 1 wherein the first portion is a closure element.
 6. Theinvention as in claim 1 wherein the second portion is a flange.
 7. Theinvention as in claim 1 wherein the first portion is a closure element,the second portion is a flange.
 8. The invention as in claim 7 whereinthe closure elements are U-channel closure elements.
 9. The invention asin claim 7 wherein the second fastening strip includes a third portionwith the first color, the third portion is a closure element, the otherfastening strip includes a fourth portion with the second translucentcolor, the fourth portion is a flange.
 10. The invention as in claim 1wherein the closure device includes a slider slidably disposed on thefastening strips, the slider facilitates occlusion of the fasteningstrips.
 11. A container comprising: first and second sidewalls joined toform a compartment with an opening; first and second fastening stripsrespectively connected to the first and second sidewalls at the opening;the fastening strips have a longitudinal X axis, a transverse Y axis anda vertical Z axis, the fastening strips are arranged to be occluded overa predetermined length in the X axis, the fastening strips are arrangedto be deoccluded and form an opening between the fastening strips whendeoccuded the opening is visible when viewed in the Z axis, the firstfastening strip includes a first portion with a first color, the firstcolor is visible when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips aredeoccluded, the first fastening strip or the second fastening stripincludes a second portion with a second translucent color, the firstcolor combines with thesecond color to form a third color when viewed inthe Z axis when the fastening strips are occluded; and wherein thesecond fastening stip includes a third portion with the first color. 12.The invention as in claim 11 wherein the other fastening strip includesa fourth portion with the second translucent color.
 13. The invention asin claim 12 wherein the fourth portion is a flange.
 14. The invention asin claim 11 wherein the third portion is a closure element.
 15. Theinvention as in claim 11 wherein the first portion is a closure clement.16. The invention as in claim 11 wherein the second portion is a flange.17. The invention as in claim 11 wherein the first portion is a closureelement, the second portion is a flange.
 18. The invention as in claim17 wherein the closure elements are U-channel closure elements.
 19. Theinvention as in claim 17 wherein the second fastening strip includes athird portion with the first color, the third portion is a closureelement, the other fastening strip includes a fourth portion with thesecond translucent color, the fourth portion is a flange.
 20. Theinvention as in claim 11 wherein the closure device includes a sliderslidably disposed on the fastening strips, the slider facilitatesocclusion of the fastening strips.
 21. A method of manufacturing aclosure device, comprising: providing first and second fastening strips,the fastening strips have a longitudinal X axis, a transverse Y axis anda vertical Z axis, the fastening strips are arranged to be occluded overa predetermined length in the X axis, the fastening strips are arrangedto be deoccluded and form an opening between the fastening strips whendeoccluded, the opening is visible when viewed in the Z axis, providingthe first fastening strip includes a first portion with a first color,the first color is visible when viewed in the Z axis when the fasteningstrips are deoccluded , the first fastening strip or the secondfastening strip includes a second portion with a second translucentcolor, the first color combines with the second color to form a thirdcolor when viewed in the Z axis when the fastening strips are occluded;and wherein the second fastening strip includes a third portion with thefirst color.
 22. The invention as in claim 21 wherein the otherfastening strip includes a fourth portion with the second translucentcolor.
 23. The invention as in claim 22 wherein the fourth portion is aflange.
 24. The invention as in claim 21 wherein the third portion is aclosure element.
 25. The invention as in claim 21 wherein the firstportion is a closure element.
 26. The invention as in claim 21 whereinthe third portion is a flange.
 27. The invention as in claim 21 whereinthe first portion is a closure element, the second portion is a flange.28. The invention as in claim 27 wherein the closure elements areU-channel closure elements.
 29. The invention as in claim 21, whereinthe second fastening strip includes a third portion with the firstcolor, the third portion is a closure element, the other fastening stripincludes a fourth portion with the second trauslucent color, the fourthportion is a flange.
 30. The invention as in claim 21 wherein theclosure device includes a slider slidably disposed on the fasteningstrips, the slider facilitates occlusion of the fastening strips.